You want a VIP smile and you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get it – almost. If the one thing you want to avoid is having your teeth shaved down to make room for veneers, that’s understandable. Thank goodness for innovations like minimally invasive no-prep veneers. The only question is: Are you a good candidate for prepless veneers?
Qualifying for Prepless Veneers
Veneers are made of strong, durable, stain resistant porcelain. They are intended to conceal every cosmetic complaint you have about your front teeth. However, not all veneers are constructed the same way. Some are much thinner than others – like prepless veneers. This means the preparation needed to get your teeth ready for this change is minimal. That’s appealing to anyone who wants a new smile.
Prepless veneers are often ideal for patients with minor dental problems and an excellent foundation. However, not every smile makeover patient is an ideal candidate for no-prep veneers. Because the veneers are so thin, some of the following issues could impact your eligibility:
- Severe discoloration or dark stains
- Moderate misalignment
- Large teeth
Patients who fit into these categories are not banned from veneers altogether, but they will need to have some preparation done to their teeth to make this cosmetic dentistry transformation a possibility.
How Prepless Veneers Work
No-prep veneers are bonded to the front of your natural teeth without altering your natural tooth structure. In the traditional porcelain veneer procedure, the cosmetic dentist removes a significant amount of healthy tooth enamel before bonding the veneers in place. This is one drawback that makes many patients drag their feet about pursuing this smile makeover.
Because no-prep veneers are super-thin, they fit incredibly well from the gumline to the edge of the tooth. They are not bulky or fake-looking but impressively translucent so they reflect light just like natural teeth. As a result, it’s important that your original teeth be relatively even-colored behind the veneers. Other realities to consider:
- Bulky tooth structure: Even if a veneer is as thin as 0.3mm, it will add some thickness to your teeth without some sanding and alteration of the tooth structure.
- Altered alignment: If you want to conceal a crooked tooth or two, veneers can do that, but the tooth must be trimmed so the porcelain shield can go over it and blend with the rest of your teeth.
- Veneer and tooth margin: All teeth must be prepped for veneers, even if it’s just a light sanding, to avoid any bumps or bulges under the bonding.
Get Prepless Veneers Near Me in NYC
You’ll never end up with a smile makeover you don’t want or a result that looks unnatural if you work with an experienced NYC cosmetic dentist. Dr. Michael J. Wei takes time to consult with you about your smile goals. Together, you will determine whether you are a good candidate for prepless veneers or another type of smile makeover procedure.
His goal is always to give you a stunning smile you love through a procedure that makes you comfortable. Aggressive tooth preparation isn’t necessary, over-preparing teeth can be avoided, and you can still be a potential candidate for prepless or Microthin veneers. There are several types of veneers available, and if you’re not a candidate for one, there’s a good chance you may be a candidate for another.
Find out more. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Wei at his Midtown dental office.
